Maybe to a point they could trouble Portlaoise . I think out of all the teams at the moment Joseph’s are the closest to Portlaoise. Young Josh Lacey will be a good addition to the side next year when he’s of age to play . But still I can’t see Portlaoise being beaten this year anyway .

Portlaoise are miles ahead in my opinion and they need to show that. They were playing with Graigue the last day out and could have beaten them by what they wanted. They need to go foot to the floor for the whole game because Laois is no preparation for Leinster

Portlaoises aim this year is a Leinster title and so it should be . With a team of Brody , Saunders/Cotter, Healy/Flanagan , Seale, Holland , Dillon , Chris Finn, Lillis, Ciaran McEvoy/ Adrian Kelly,Benny Carroll/ Rogers, Boyle , Glynn/Smyth , Cahillane , Bruno, Lawless / Ricky Maher plus a decent second team behind them behind it’s easy to see why .

Draw probably just about right but I think Ballyroan Abbey will be a little disappointed that they didn't close it out. They possibly have a bit more scope for improvement. Tierney and Whelan can surely do better. Scott Conroy was great.

What can you say about Arles Kilcruise? They never cease to amaze me. A kick of a ball from being relegated last year and here they are battling away with a very small panel. You'd fear for them when Ross finally hangs up the boots though! Some operator. Fran Egan had one of his best games for them too.

Is it true that next year is the year where the start of the underage prospects off the conveyer belt arrive Ballyroanabu ?

We are certainly getting more players coming through, I would think it's already happening we are probably seeing it more at junior level than anywhere else. I know loads of teams are down players but we are down Conor Brennan, Liam Delaney (injured) at the moment. With Adam Brennan, Eoghan Whelan and Ciaran Carroll not been able to commit this year. If this was 5 or 6 years ago we would simply not have been able to cope with that. Very much like the Laois Seniors, being competitive will keep young lads playing and that's what everyone wants. If we are any good a game like last night will bring us on and harden us up. I am looking forward to next weeks game already. Ross was super, Davy going off had to hurt them a fair bit so I am sure they will improve. I like Lar Wall he just makes his team as tough as nails, because his old style his prob underrated.